Maybe you bought a nice steak and are looking forward to eating it – but you ran out of oil and only noticed now.
Or maybe you just want to cut down on oil but not on meat.
So you’re wondering, do you need oil to cook steak?
No, you can cook steak without oil as long as you keep a few things in mind.
This article will teach you how to cook steak without oil, what alternatives you could use, and whether an air-fryer could solve your problem.
Can You Cook Steak Without Oil?
Whether you want to eat a little healthier or have run out of oil and don’t want to go shopping, the good news is that oil isn’t necessary to cook a steak.
There actually is a word for cooking steaks in a pan without oil: pan-searing. You’ll learn more about this further below. Just so much: it’s not rocket science.
What Is A Good Alternative To Using Oil For Cooking Steak?
If health isn’t important and you don’t feel comfortable using nothing to cook a steak, you may have some alternatives at home.
You could use butter or margarine, though they have a lower burning point than oil. You need to ensure not to heat the pan too much when using these alternatives.
You could also use bacon grease, chicken fat, or vegetable shortening. Coconut butter also works but may give your steak a coconutty flavor if you don’t use one of the flavor-free versions.
How Do I Cook Steak Without Oil?
Cooking a steak without oil doesn’t take special skills and isn’t anything unusual. Some chefs use torches for cooking steaks – so not using oil sounds pretty harmless in comparison.
Here’s how cooking a steak without oil works.
- Take the steak out of the fridge an hour before you cook it, as it needs to be at room temperature for the best results.
- If preferred, trim fat around the steak – you could use it instead of oil.
- Salt and pepper the steak. You can also add other spices and herbs, depending on your preferences. Of course, you could also marinate it.
- Ensure the pan is non-stick, and heat it well before adding the steak.
- Add the steak and cook it for around 3 minutes on each side, moving it now and then to avoid sticking. If it feels sticky, add a splash of water.
You can also grill a steak without oil or use a broiler.
But wait, what about the kitchen gadget everyone loves so much these days?
Can I Cook Steak In An Air-Fryer?
Air fryers are good for much more than just making perfect fries without oil. You can also use it for cooking a steak without oil!
It usually takes 10-15 minutes, and the results are pretty good. Depending on your air fryer, times may vary, but generally, you preheat the air fryer to 200C, then add the steak into the basket for 6 minutes, turn it around, then cook another 2 minutes for a medium-rare steak, add 2 more minutes if you want it well done.
Take the steak out, and let it rest for about 3-4 minutes.
Should I Cook Steak With Or Without Oil?
There’s no right or wrong answer to this question. Reducing the amount of oil in your diet is never a bad idea, but adding oil to the pan when cooking a steak produces a better result.
The browning of the meat works better with some additional source of fat (which can also be butter or other alternatives).
Final Thoughts
You can cook steak without oil, but without an air-fryer or grill, the result might not be as nice.
The most important thing to remember is never to cook a cold steak. It has to be fully thawed and at room temperature; otherwise, you’ll end up with a tough piece of meat.